Australia has long relied on volunteers and wildlife carers. As bird flu spreads, they will need support

Australia has long relied on volunteers and wildlife carers to support conservation efforts. As bird flu spreads across the nation, these volunteers will need additional support to continue their vital work. The highly transmissible H5N1 strain of bird flu was first detected in Western Australia in June 2020, marking the first time the virus had appeared on the continent. While federal authorities claimed the nation was well prepared, the virus is now spreading domestically, leading to mass mortality events.

Australia's reliance on volunteers stems from the country's wealth, diverse species, and the fact that conservation spending is very low. The Biodiversity Council estimates that on-ground conservation programs receive just 0.06% of the federal budget. As a result, much of the work has fallen to volunteers, with an estimated 20,000 wildlife carers in Australia spending an average of $5,300 on food and equipment annually, equivalent to about $100 million in total. Each volunteer typically dedicates 32 hours per week to their work.

Volunteers have played a critical role in Australia's response to bird flu, often taking on the frontlines of care for sick birds and animals. Wildlife carers in Western Australia called for help and protective gear after finding themselves on the frontline of the crisis. However, as the virus continues to spread, nursing sick birds and animals is no longer feasible for volunteers. There is a clear need for support from authorities to help volunteers report sightings and provide care to injured wildlife.

Australia's large and varied species, combined with its heavy reliance on nature for the economy, have contributed to the long-standing dependence on volunteers for conservation efforts. Despite this, conservation spending remains insufficient, leaving much of the work to be done by volunteers. In 2019, researchers estimated that over 20,000 volunteer wildlife carers contributed over $1 billion in time and resources to help care for wildlife, with each volunteer spending an average of 32 hours per week on their work.

The bird flu crisis has highlighted the gap between official advice to avoid contact with sick animals and Australia's long reliance on volunteers to care for wildlife.

While volunteers have been crucial in Australia's response to bird flu, authorities must provide the necessary support to ensure they can continue their work safely. The virus poses a small risk of infecting humans, but volunteers should not have to risk their health to care for animals. Boosting conservation funding is essential, but it is equally important to ensure that volunteers are adequately supported to carry out their critical role in wildlife conservation and biosecurity efforts.